Short-duration robotic therapy in stroke patients with severe upper-limb motor impairment

J Rehabil Res Dev. 2005 Sep-Oct;42(5):683-92. doi: 10.1682/jrrd.2004.12.0153.

Abstract

Chronic motor deficits in the upper limb (UL) are a major contributor to disability following stroke. This study investigated the effect of short-duration robot-assisted therapy on motor impairment, as measured by clinical scales and robot-derived performance measures in patients with chronic, severe UL impairments after stroke. As part of a larger study, 15 individuals with chronic, severe UL paresis (Fugl-Meyer < 15) after stroke (minimum 6 mo postonset) performed 18 sessions of robot-assisted UL rehabilitation that consisted of goal-directed planar reaching tasks over a period of 3 weeks. Outcome measures included the Fugl-Meyer Assessment, the Motor Power Assessment, the Wolf Motor Function Test, the Stroke Impact Scale, and five robot-derived measures that reflect motor control (aiming error, mean speed, peak speed, mean:peak speed ratio, and movement duration). Robot-assisted training produced statistically significant improvements from baseline to posttreatment in the Fugl-Meyer and Motor Power Assessment scores and the quality of motion (quantified by a reduction in aiming error and movement duration with an increase in mean speed and mean:peak speed ratio). Our findings indicate that robot-assisted UL rehabilitation can reduce UL impairment and improve motor control in patients with severe UL paresis from chronic stroke.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Analysis of Variance
  • Chronic Disease
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Paresis / etiology
  • Paresis / rehabilitation*
  • Physical Therapy Modalities / instrumentation*
  • Probability
  • Prospective Studies
  • Psychomotor Performance
  • Recovery of Function
  • Robotics*
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Stroke / complications*
  • Stroke / diagnosis
  • Time Factors
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Upper Extremity